Claas says that its latest Rollant 455 UNIWRAP can, instead of the usual net wrapping process, apply film to initially bind each bale – before the bale is transferred from the bale chamber to the wrapper.
Of course, during the ‘normal’ wrapping cycle (on the wrapping table at the rear) full-coverage film is then applied.
Claas is not the first manufacturer to offer this facility on its combined baler/wrapper machines. McHale’s Fusion 3 Plus, for example, already offers this option – with its well-known ‘Film on Film’ approach.
Claas says that net wrapping remains possible, with a “fast change-over system for alternating between net and film wrapping without any conversion operation”.
The film wrapping process is “exactly the same” as the familiar net wrapping operation – only the material is different. Once the bale in the bale chamber has reached the desired size, it is automatically wrapped in multiple layers of film. Unlike the net system, the film layers project a few centimetres over the side edges of the bale.
The film feed-in and the start of wrapping process takes place automatically. The extent of film stretching required can be set on the terminal in the cab.
The decision on how many layers of film to be wound around the bale (inside the bale chamber) can be made by individual contractors or customers. The system allows the selection of anything from 1.2 to 8.0 winding layers; this can be adjusted by the driver.
During the subsequent wrapping of the bale on the wrapping table, this means it is no longer necessary to apply four or six layers of wrap in the usual way, thereby saving on the amount of film.
According to Claas, film wrapping also does away with the laborious process of separating net and film when the bale is opened.
Along with savings in the quantity of material used, another advantage of using film wrapping rather than net is that “less oxygen tends to end up in the bale”. This, says Claas, can have a positive impact on the fermentation rate.
Roll ramp – for easier loading
A new feature, which is included as standard on the latest Rollant 455 UNIWRAP, is the roll ramp. This, says the company, makes it much easier to load new rolls.
To simplify the process of loading a new roll of film or net into the baler, there is a new, foldable roll ramp mounted at the side. This, claims Claas, provides a “fast and easy way to load the rolls – which can weigh up to 50kg – into the machine”.
Claas recommends the use of its COATEX film, which has a roll length of 2,000m, a film width of 1.4m and a thickness of 17µm.
The new Rollant 455 UNIWRAP will be displayed for the first time at Agritechnica and will be available from next year.
